Article of furniture



March 21, 1939. w J, BARGEN ARTICLE OF FURNITURE Filed April 27, 1937 5 Sheets-Sheet l MAL/AN March 21, 1939. w. J. BARGEN ARTICLE OF FURNITURE 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 27, 1937 K a W i v 1 k 1 W M (w J v 3 9 W 4 w m 2 (m A 4 III/III ARTICLE OF FURNITURE Filed April 27, 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 g M Z; J

6/ v 5,4 Wig. Z2 [Z2 Patented Mar. 21 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Application April 27.,

8 Claims.

This invention relates to an article of furniture, such as a unit comprising a chair, desk, book box, arm rest and pedestal. The article of furniture is designed primarily for use in school and lecture rooms, but it is to be understood that it is to be employed in any connection for which it may be found applicable.

The invention has for its object to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a unit of the type referred to so constructed to provide for its being balanced to stay put on a floor whether anchored on or non-anchored to the latter and capable of being adjusted for use to afford maximum amount of comfort with respect to the disposition of the users arms, feet and legs.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, an article of furniture including a pedestal element, a chair element vertically adjustable relative to and supported by the pedestal element, a desk element bodily carried with the chain element, an arm rest element bodily carried by the chair and desk elements, and an open top receptacleor book box element bodily carried by the chain element, disposed at one side of the latter directly below and in laterally extended relation with respect to the arm rest of the chair element as well as extended rearwardly from the back.

A further object of the invention resides .in the novel construction and arrangement of the book box element.

A further object of the invention resides in the setting up of the book box element with an inner wall, an outer wall arranged with its top andbottom ,edgeabelow the top and bottom edges of the inner wall, a pair of sidewalls arranged between the said other walls and having their top and bottom edges inclining downwardly from the inner to the outer wall and a bottom inclin- 40 ing downwardly from the innerv to the outer wall and having its ends spaced from, the inner faces of the side walls.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a unit of 5 the class referred to including a pedestal element having a base formed with a concave front, rear and side edges and with the front of the base of less width than the rear thereof.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a unit of the class referred to with a pedestal element having incurved front, rear and side bottom edges, front and rounded bottom corners, and curved protecting members constituting cushions for the 55 base disposed outward-1y and inwardly with re- 1937, Serial No. 139,315

spect to the said bottom side edges and extending from the front to the rear bottom corners of the base.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a chair element including a seat member inclining downwardly from rear to front, a back member inclining rearwardly from its lower to its upper end and angle-shaped coupling members common to, overlapping and adapted to be secured to the said other elements for anchoring them together in angular relation.

,Further objects of the invention are to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a unit of the type referred to which is comparatively simple in its construction and arrangement strong, durable, compact, balanced, readily adjusted, thoroughly efiicient in its use, expeditiously assembled, having an arm rest element and a book box element, the arm rest element having a clearance to facilitate storing and removing of matter from the book box element, including reinforced chair and desk elements, which are comparatively inexpensive to manufacture.

Embodying the above ends essentially and others which may hereinafter appear, the invention consists of the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts as will be specifically referred to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein is shown an embodiment of the invention, but it is to be understood that changes, variations and modifications may be resorted to which fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the article of furniture in accordance with this invention,

Figure 2 is a side elevation thereof,

Figure 3 is an inverted plan on line 3-3, Figure 2 upon an enlarged scale,

Figure 4 is a section on line 4 4, Figure 2, upon an enlarged scale,

Figure 5 is a fragmentary view, partly in side elevation and lengthwise section and upon an enlarged scale of the chair element,

Figure 6 is a section on line 66, Figure 5,

Figure 7 is an inverted view of the pedestal element on an enlarged scale,

Figure 8 is a section on 8B, Figure '7 upon an enlarged scale,

Figure 9 is an inverted sectional plan of the arm rest and desk elements,

Figure 10 is a section on line IUI0, Figure 9 upon an enlarged scale,

Figure 11 is a section on line Figure 10, Figure 12 is a section on line |2|2, Figure 10, Figure 13 is a section on line |3--|3, Figure 9, Figure 14 is an inverted sectional plan of a modified form of arm rest and desk elements,

Figure 15 is a fragmentary view in rear e1evation of the chair element,

Figure 16 is a section on line |6-|6, Figure 15,

Figure 17 is a fragmentary view in transverse section of the seat,

Figure 18 is a section on line |8|8, Figure 7,

Figure 19 is a fragmentary view in top plan illustrating the flush arrangement of the outer wall of the open top box receptacle with the outer side edge of the arm rest,

Figure 20 is a fragmentary view in perspective of the adaptation therewith of a modified form of foot piece or shoe,

Figure 21 is an inverted plan of the structure shown in Figure 20,

Figure 22 is a section on line 2222, Figure 20, and

Figure 23 is a section on line 23-23, Figure 22.

The unit includes a pedestal element 20, a. chair element 2|, a desk element 22, an arm rest element 23 and a book box element 24. The element 20 includes a vertically adjustable section, to be referred to, which is secured at its upper end to element 2| whereby when said section is adjusted the element 2| will be carried therewith. The elements 22, 23 and 24 are secured to element 2| whereby when, the latter is adjusted.

elements 22, 23 and 24 will be carried therewith. The pedestal element 20 includes a lower or stationary section 25 and an upper vertically adjustable section 26. The section 25 includes a hollow frusto-pyramidal base 21 formed with concave sides 28, a concave front 28, a concave rear 28', concave side edges 29, a concave rear edge 30, a concave front edge 3|, rounded lower front and rear bottom corners 32, 33 respectively and flat peripheral facets 34 at the points of mergence of the sides 28 with said front 28 andrear 28 The bottom of the front of base 21 is of less width than the bottom of the rear of the base. The section 25 includes a hollow standard 35 of polygonal cross section open at its upper and lower ends. The standard 35 at its lower end merges into the upper end of base 21 as well as communicates with the latter. The corners 36 of the standard 35 are inclined and flat and form continuations of the facets 34. The length of standard 35 is as desired. The section 26 includes a hollow post 31 for extension into the standard 35. The cross sectional contour of post 31 corresponds to that of standard 35. The upper end of post 31 merges into and centrally of a reinforced H- shaped head 38 (Figure 3) which is anchored to the element 2|. The post 31 and standard 35 are provided with adjustable coacting means 39 (Figure 2) for detachably securing the post 31 in its adjusted position. The said means may be of any suitable construction, by way of example, as shown by Patent 1,591,651 or by my co-pending application, Serial No. 139,316, filed April 27, 1937. Preferably it will be similar to that as disclosed in the application aforesaid. Positioned against the bottom of each of the sides 28 of base 21 is a flat foot piece or shoe 39 which acts as a bearing and cushioning means for the base 21. Each foot piece includes a. fiat strip 40 of a length to extend from an outer front corner 32 to a rear corner 33. The ends of the strips 40 are rounded and extend outwardly from the corners 32, 33.

The strips 40 are curved and conform in contour to that of the side edges 29. Each foot piece 39 includes circular depending portions 4| on the ends of the lower face of a strip 43 (Figure 7). The portions 4| possess a cushioning characteristic for the base. The foot pieces 39 act as spacers for the base 21 and protectors for the support on which the unit is positioned. Countersunk holdfast means 42 are positioned at and extend through the lower corners of base 21 for securing the latter and the strips 40 together. The strips 40 are of like form and oppositely dis-- posed.

Each strip includes a fiat metallic core 43 of arcuate contour and of strap-like form provided with an opening 43 centrally of each end thereof and spaced openings 43* disposed on its lengthwise median and interiorly threaded upstanding bushings 43, each anchored at its lower end in an opening 43 Each strip includes a fiat housing 44 which completely envelopes the upper and lower faces and side and end edges of the core 43. The housing 44 is constructed from resilient material preferably rubber and conforms in curvature to that of the core and parts 44 of the material from the housing 44 extend through the openings 43. The housing 44 is moulded around core 43. The housing surrounds and has its upper face flush with the upper ends of the bushings 43. The lower face of housing 44 is formed with openings 44 which align with the openings 43. The holdfast means 42 threadedly engages with the bushings 43. The portions 4| of the foot pieces or shoes are also employed to create friction at the floor to offset the necessity in many cases of fastening to the floor. In other words, the said portions 4| of the foot pieces or shoes not only cushion the base, but they also create an element of friction at the floor and when the portions 4| are compressed by the weight of the article to an extent to be flush with the remaining part of the shoe between the said portions 4| on the shoe, the said part will also create an element of friction at the floor, thus the reason the foot pieces are built on an arc is to create the maximum amount of friction. The foot pieces or shoes are used for protection of the flooring itself against undue marking.

The chair element 2| includes a rectngular seat 46 and a rectangular back 41. .The seat 46 eccentrically of its lower face has secured thereto the head 38 of pedestal element 20. The seat 46 inclines downwardly from front to rear and extends forwardly from the lower end of back 41, The latter inclines rearwarclly from its lower to its upper end. The rear end of seat 46 and lower end of back 41 are formed with oppositely disposed rabbets 41 41 respectively (Figure 16) whereby the lower end of back 41 will rest on the rear end of seat 46. Arranged against a portion of the length of the side edges of the seat and back and secured against spaced parallel portions of the length of the lower face of seat 46 and spaced parallel portions of the rear face of back 41 is a pair of oppositely disposed upstanding combined coupling and reinforcing members 48, 49 of angle contour and like form. Each of the members 48, 49 and includes an intermediate portion 50 substantially of triangular contour and section formed with a curved upper edge, a straight outer side and a straight base. The portion 50 at its outer side is formed with an inwardly extending flange 5| and at its base with an inwardly extending flange 52 disposed at right angles to the flange 5|, Each of the members 48, 49 includes an upstanding upper stretch 53 formed of a pair of flanges 54, 55 disposed at right angles to each other. Each of the members 48, 49 includes a horizontally disposed lower stretch 56 formed of a pair of flanges 51, 58 disposed at right angles to each other. With respectto the member 48 or 49 the portion 59 thereof is arranged between and merges into the flanges 54, 51, The flanges 5|, 52 of portion 50 merge into each other and into the flanges 55, 58. The portion 59 at the point'of mergence'of the flanges 5|, 52 is rounded, as at 59,to'prevent the forming of sharp corners whereby the possibility of damaging'the outer garment of the wearer is reduced to a minimum. The portions 59 of the members 48, 49 are arranged against and extend upwardly and horizontally from the points of joinder of the back and seat. The portions 59 of the members 48, 49 are disposel against the side edges of the seat and back adjacent said point of'joinder. The flanges54 of the members 48, 49 are positioned against a portion of the length of the rear face of the back '41. The flanges '51 of the members '48, 49 are positioned against 'a portion of the length of the side edges of the seats'46. The flange 5|, 55 of the members 48, 49 are positioned against the side edges of the back 41 and secured thereto by the holdfast means 59 (Figure 15). The flanges 52,58 are positioned aganist edge portions of the lower face of the seat 46. The flanges 52, 58 are anchored tothe seat 46 by spaced holdfase means 68 (Figure 3).

The desk element 22 and arm rest element 23 are integral with each other and formed from a one-piece body-6| of'suitable material, preferably wood. The body'6l consists of a rectangular part 62 and an extension 63 (Figures 1 and 9) which merges into the left end terminal portion (Figure l) of the rear edge of part 62. The part 62 of body 6| constitutes the desk element 22 and the extension 63 the arm rest element 23. The width of part'62 is greater than that of back 41. The part'62 when looking towards its front will have its right side edge disposed substantially flush with the right side edges of the seat and back and its left side edge disposed in laterally extended relation with respect to theleft side edges of the seat and back. The part 62 may have its upper face in proximityand parallel to its front or forward edge 64 provided with a groove to receive writing instruments. The lower face of part 62 in proximity to its-edge 64, has secured thereagainst a reinforcing angle iron 65 which extends into said part 62 (Figures 9 and 13). The lower face of part'62 in proximity to its rear edge 66 has secured thereagainst the horizontal flange 61 of an angle bar 68' constituting a reinforcement for part 62 as wellas a means for connecting to part 62 a combined coupling and supporting structure 69 (Figures 1 and 2), to be referred to, for desk element 22. The bar 68 includes an apertured Vertical flange 10 which depends from the front of flange 61.

The extension 63 which constitutes the arm rest element 23 has its inner side edge 1! cut out as at 12 to provide a clearance for a purpose to be referred to. The rear end edge 13 of extension 63 is rounded. The extension 63 is of the desired width and length.

The structure 69 includes an upstanding coupling'piece "formed of a straight upper part 15 and a lower part 16 of less widtnthan part 15. The coupling piece 14 is formed in its outer face with a groove 11 which extends from the top -to' the bottom'thereof. The structure 69 includes an angle-shaped upstanding combined coupling and supporting member 18 formed of an upstanding arm 19 and a horizontally disposed arm which extends inwardly at right angles from the lower end of arm 19. The latter includes a straight upper part and a rearwardly inclined lower part of greater length thansaid upper part. 'I'he'latter is arranged in the upper portion of groove 11. The upper portion of said lower part is arranged in the remaining portion'of the groove 11. The part 15 of the coupling piece 14 is positioned against and secured to the rear face of flange '10 of bar 68 by the holdfast means 8|. The coupling piece 14 depends from flange 19. The upper end of arm 19 is arranged against the rear face of flange 19. The arm 19 is secured to the part 16 of coupling piece 14 by'the holdfast means 82 whereby the arm 19 is coupled with or connected to the desk element 22. The arm 19 in close proximity to its lower end has its inner lengthwise edge oppose in close relation the right side edge of seat 46, and said arm is of a length to extend below said seat. The arm 80 of member 18 is disposed below the lower face of seat 46 in proximity to the forward edge 83 of the latter. The arm 80 in vertical cross section consists of an upper horizontal flange 84-and a. vertical flange 85 which depends from the front of flange 84. Secured tothe lower face of the seat 46 in proximity to its edge 83 is the horizontal flange 86 of an angle bar 81. The latter includes a vertical flange 88 which depends from the front of the flange 86. The right end terminal portion of the engle bar 81 is offset with respect to the remaining portion of such bar to form a space between said offset portion and the lower face of seat 46 whereby a clearance is had for the positioning of arm 86 relative to seat 46. When the arm 89 of member 18 is arranged relatively to the lower face of seat 46, the flange 84 of arm 80 is arranged upon the offset portion of flange 86 of bar 81 and the flange 85 of arm 80 is positioned against the front face of the flange 88 of bar 81. The flanges 84 and 86 are-secured together by the holdfast means 89. The parts of the structure 69 and the manner in which they are arranged and secured with the desk element 22 and seat 46 provides for supporting the desk element fro-m and coupling it to the seat 46. The element 22 when coupled and supported is arranged in forwardly extended relation with respect to the chair element 2|. The angle bar 81 provides a reinforcement for the seat 46.

A coupling and supporting structure 98 is provided for the rear end of the arm rest element 23 and is disposed at the right side of the back 41 of element 2|. The structure 90 includes an angle-shaped member 9| having a horizontal and a vertical flange 92', 93 respectively. The member 9| is disposed diagonally with respect to the rear portion of the lower face of element 23 and has its horizontal flange 92 anchored against said face by the holdfast means 94. The rear end of flange 93 is formed with an angle-shaped extension 95 which overlaps the upper portion and is suitably anchored to the flange 55 of member 48. The structures 69, 99 provide for coupling the onepiece body 6| to and for supporting it from the seat element 2|.

The receptacle or'book box element 24 is of rectangular contour and open at its top. The element 24 includes an upstanding inner wall 96, an upstanding outer wall 91, a pair of upstanding side walls 98, '99 and a bottom N10. The top and bottom edges of wall 91 are arranged below the top and bottom edges of wall 96. The top and bottom edges of each side wall incline downwardly from wall 96 to wall 91. The bottom I inclines downwardly from the bottom edge of wall 96 to the bottom edge of wall 91. The ends of bottom' I00 are spaced equi-distant from the bottoms of the side walls 98, .99. Angle-shaped corner pieces I M are arranged against the inner faces of said walls, as well as being secured to the latter by holdfast means I02 whereby the Walls are coupled together in upstanding relation. Angle-shaped bottom pieces I03 are arranged against the inner faces of the walls 96, 91 and bottom I00 and secured to the latter and the walls 96, 97 whereby the bottom I00 is secured to walls 96, 91 in spaced relation to the walls 98, 99. The manner in which bottom I00 is arranged prevents the accumulation of dirt or dust at the lower portions of the side Walls and enables for the expeditious cleaning of element 24 when desired. The form of element 24 provides for increased capacity over a straight bottom box and further facilitates removing a desired book, pamphlet or paper from the box when desired, as the matter stored will be disposed at an inclination. The element 24 is positioned at the right side of seat 46 in outwardly extended lateral relation. The element 24 is arranged below the arm rest element 23, extends above, below and rearwardly from seat 46 and has its forward end oppose the rear face of the arm I9 of member I8. The element 24 is connected to seat 46 by a coupling strip I 04 which is secured, as at I 06 to the bottom I00 of element 24 and as at I to the lower face of seat 45. The element 24 is also coupled to the structure 69 by a hook-shaped member I01 having its shank connected to wall 99 and its bill attached to arm I9 of member 18.

The arm rest 23 has a part of its outer edge 13 formed with an inset edge portion whereby in connection with the insert part I2 of the edge II the arm rest has its leading portion of greater width than its follower portion. The book box is arranged below the arm rest and has its outer side wall flush with the outer side edge of the leading portion of the arm rest. The narrow follower portion of the arm rests facilitates access to the book box. As the outer side wall of the book box is arranged in the manner as stated aforesaid aisle space is not absorbed.

A modified form of a desk element I08 and an arm rest element I09 are disclosed by Figure 14. The elements I08, I 09 are formed from a onepiece body I I0 preferably of wood. The difference between element I08 and element 22 is that the former is less in width than the latter and is not provided with the angle bar 65. The difference between the element I09 and element 23 is that the former is not provided with the narrow follower portion as is element 23. Otherwise than that as stated the construction of elements I08, I09 will be the same as that of the elements 22, 23 respectively. The elements I08, I09 will be supported from and coupled to the chair element in the same manner as that of elements 22, 23.

When the unit is anchored to the floor or other support, the foot pieces 39 may be dispensed with, if desired.

The bottom of base 21 is so formed that upon removal of the foot pieces or shoes the pedestal can be fastened to the floor without alterations by the passage of holdfast means through the apertured corners of the base. When the foot pieces or shoes are removed the pedestal is ready.

to be attached to the floor. The base of the pedestal is so formed that it may be secured to the floor without mechanical changes.

The standard is arranged properly off center with respect to the base 21. The edges 29, 30 and 3I are the bottom edges of the base 21.

The structure 90 is arranged below the upper end of structure 69 to provide for the disposing of the combined desk and. arm rest means to extend upwardly at an inclination from rear to front.

Each lower corner of the base 21 of the pedestal may be provided with a separate foot piece or shoe. A form of foot piece or shoe for such purpose is shown by Figures 20 to 23 both inclusive, and generally indicated at II2. One of the lower corners of the base 21 is indicated at 32, Figure 20, and has associated therewith the foot piece H2. The latter consists of a flat strap-like metallic core II3 of angled contour to provide a horizontal leg H4 and a vertical leg II 5. The latter extends upwardly at right angles to the inner end and is of materially less length than that of leg H4. The leg H5 in proximity to its upper end has an opening I I6. The leg I I4 in proximity to its outer end is formed with an opening II1 through which extends a vertical internally threaded bushing H8 projecting above the upper face of leg H4 and formed at its lower end with a lateral flange II9 anchored to the lower face of leg H4. The core H3 is completely encased by a housing I20 formed of cushioning material, preferably rubber. The housing I 20 corresponds in contour to the angle shape of the core H3. A part of the material from which housing I20 is formed extends through the opening H6. The housing I20 surrounds the bushing H8 and has its bottom formed with an opening I2I which aligns with the opening or passage formed by the bushing I I8. The bottom of housing I20 at its outer end is formed in the samemanner as the bottom of housing 44. The foot piece H2 is arranged within the lower portion of the base 21 in the manner shown in Figure 22 with the upstanding part of the foot piece arranged in close proximity to the inner face of the base and the bushing I I8 aligning with the opening I22 formed in the corner 32 of base 21. The The foot piece H2 is anchored to the base 21 by the holdfast means I23 extending through opening I22 and engaging with the bushing I I8. The upstanding part of foot piece II2 prevents the latter from turning relative to base 21.

What I claim is:

1. In an article of furniture, a pedestal element for supporting a chair element including a hollow frusto-pyramidal base and a standard integral at its lower end with the upper end of the base, said base having its sides, front and rear concaved, its side, front and rear lower edges concave and its front and rear lower corners rounded, and oppositely disposed curved flat foot-pieces of strip-like form secured against lower faces at opposed side edges of the base, each of said foot pieces extending from a forward lower corner to a rear lower corner.

2. In an article of furniture, a pedestal element for supporting a chair element including a hollow frusto-pyramidal baseand a standard integral at its lower end with the upper end of the base,

said base including front and rear lower corners,

a pair of flat foot pieces of strip-like form positioned against lower faces at opposite sides of the base, each foot piece extending from a front lower corner to a rear lower corner, and means for securing said foot pieces to said corners.

3. In an article of furniture, a pedestal element for supporting a chair element including a hollow frusto-pyramidal base and a standard integral at its lower end with the upper end of the base, said base being of greater width at its rear than at its front, said base including front and rear lower corners, a pair of flat foot pieces of strip-like form positioned against lower faces at opposite sides of the base, each foot piece extending from a front lower corner to a rear lower corner, means for securing said foot pieces to said corners, said corners being rounded, and said foot pieces being extended outwardly from said corners.

4. In an article of furniture of the type including a pedestal for supporting a chair, said pedestal including a base formed with front and rear lower corners, and a pair of foot pieces, each extending from a front to a rear lower corner and being connected to such corners, said foot pieces being positioned aganst the lower ends of opposed sides of the base and formed with a cover of soft material to provide friction creating elements relative to the floor upon which the article is positioned.

5. In an article of furniture for the purpose set forth, a chair, a pedestal for supporting the chair formed with a hollow pyramidal base and a pair of oppositely disposed foot pieces of arcuate form positioned against the lower faces of the base at opposed sides of the latter and extending from the forward to the rear lower corners of the base, said base and foot pieces having coacting means for connecting them together.

6. In an article of furniture for the purpose set forth, a seat supporting pedestal including a hollow base having a front wall, a rear wall and a pair of sides and front and rear lower apertured corners, combined cushioning, protecting and friction creating elements positioned against the lower faces of the edges of the base at the corners of the latter, each of said elements being elongated to extend between certain of said corners and provided with sockets aligning with the apertures in said corners, and means coacting with said sockets for securing the elements to said corners.

7. In an article of furniture for the purpose set forth, a seat supporting pedestal having a hollow base formed of concave sides and rounded. front and rear lower corners, a pair of combined cushioning, protecting and friction creating elements of arcuate form positioned against lower faces of opposed sides of said base, each of said elements extending from a front lower corner to a rear lower corner, and means extending through said corners and engaging with said elen ments for securing them against the bottom face of the base.

8, In an article of furniture for the purpose set forth, a seat supporting pedestal including a hollow base of substantially pyramidal contour having concave sides and rounded apertured front and rear lower corners, a pair of oppositely disposed foot pieces of arcuate contour positioned against the lower faces of opposite sides of said base, each'foot piece extending from a front lower corner to a rear lower corner, socket forming means within and at the ends of each foot piece, and means extending through said apertured corners for securing the foot pieces to said base.

WILLIAM J. BARGEN. 

